CHAPTER SEVEN
Words: 2,395
And then it all went to hell.
The plan was brilliant.
Risky, sure, but brilliant.
But nobody was supposed to die.
They had literally just cheered when Katniss was able to blow up the Career's stash.
For God's sake the two girls had fallen asleep together the night before.
The calm before the storm.
They shouldn't have split up. Effie understood why they did. And then they had their code song with the Mockingjays—the song that would change everything—and Effie figured everything would be all right.
But no.
There were no happy endings, because the odds were not meant to be in your favor.
When the spear pierced Rue it was like the Penthouse had exploded.
Effie gasped, loudly, the sound reverberating from the walls.
The same feeling Katniss got after blowing up the Cornucopia, the feeling that she was deaf, resonated with all of them.
Effie was screaming, but she couldn't hear herself.
Haymitch threw a glass at the wall.
Portia just started crying.
And Cinna walked to the bar and poured himself a drink.
And then Haymitch was shaking her, but she didn't know why, because blood was pounding in her ear.
"It's okay, Effie. Damn it, it's okay!"
"No it's not ok!" Effie screamed back, struggling for Haymitch to let her go. "None of this is okay! Was it okay when you got to Masilee? No it wasn't!"
She felt him stiffen in her arms, his eyes wide, and for the first time in nineteen years, Haymitch looked like he not only wanted to hit her, but might actually do so.
She didn't even care.
"Get the fuck away from me," he said coldly, and it was coldness that snapped her back to reality.
"Haymitch—"
"Fuck you, Effie." He didn't even raise his voice, but the words pierced her like a knife.
"I'm so sorry."
"And fuck your sorry, too."
Effie bought her hands to her face and took a deep breath.
"I didn't mean it," she told him.
He backed away from her.
"As many horrible things you've said to me in the past nineteen years, surely you can—"
"The only thing I can surely do is hope and pray that there's a special place in Hell for a Capitol bitch like you."
Haymitch might as well have hit her.
"Haymitch, Effie." It was something about the way Cinna called their name that had them turning to the television.
Katniss was in a meadow, collecting flowers.
They watched in silence as Katniss fixed her up, fixing Rue's face and hair.
"What the fuck is she doing?" muttered Haymitch, walking closer to the television, his voice a little panicked.
Before she could think better of it, Effie said aloud, "Rebelling."
Haymitch looked at her so quickly he forgot to look angry at her.
"Look at her," Effie commented. "Look at her face. She's calculating, and she's pissed."
Haymitch watched Katniss for a moment. Then he turned and looked at Cinna, and the two of them shared secret code messages with their eyes.
And then Katniss pressed three fingers to her lips, and belted out the four-note tune.
"Haymitch—" hitched Effie.
"I know." He was already heading towards the couch to grab his slightly wrinkled jacket.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. But there's going to be hell to pay for this." He looked at her then, as a way to ensure that she knew he hadn't forgiven her. "I should know."
A few hours later, when night starts to fall, as if to seal the deal, and further Effie's point, Katniss bluntly thanked District 11 for their Sponsorship.
XxXxXx
"Eleven is Uprising," Cinna told Haymitch quietly, not daring to talk over the sound of the television. They were in Cinna's room, in the dark of night, whispering furiously.
Haymitch stared at Cinna, not even blinking. "No shit?"
"Swear to God. Plutarch says it's all being kept hush-hush right now, but they had to increase the amount of Peacekeepers. They haven't relented since Rue's death. There have been a few deaths and numerous arrests."
Haymitch walked towards Cinna's bar, pouring them both a drink. Haymitch stared off into the distance, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking?" asked Cinna after a few moments of silence.
"I think it's time I make a few calls to some old friends in 13."
Cinna nodded. "I'll reach out to Commander Paylor." Haymitch nodded and Cinna lifted up his glass. "To Katniss Everdeen: the Girl on Fire, and our future Mockingjay."
Haymitch raised his glass and drank.
He made his way to the door, nearly tripping over a box. "What the hell?"
"Oh. That's a gift for Effie. Shoes. I thought she'd like them." Haymitch frowned at the beautifully decorated box. "Speaking of Effie, you two need to get your shit together."
"She—"
"I'm not taking her side. What she said was wrong. But she was just trying to make a point, and she was distraught while doing so." Cinna stared at Haymitch. "Has there never been something you said that was unforgivable? And I'm pretty positive Effie never threw it back in your face."
"I'll be cordial. That's all I can say."
Cinna shrugged and dropped it. "Have a goodnight, Haymitch."
Haymitch nodded his goodbye and made his way to his own bedroom.
He could hear the sobs coming out of Effie's room as he passed it.
He was surprised at the amount of strength it took him to ignore them.
When he walked into his room and saw the bottle, a bright pink bow wrapped around it, he had to remind himself that she was his Escort, and he was her Mentor.
That's all they would ever be.
XxXxXx
When Effie made her way to the living room around sunrise, she only finds Cinna and Portia. They nod their good mornings and she forces a smile.
Her mouth remained dry as she made her way to the table to pour herself a cup of coffee.
It was there, taped to the coffee pot, that she saw the note, Haymitch's handwriting evident.
I think it's time I talked to Seneca. Won't be back until it's done.
-H
PS: Thanks for the bottle, Princess
She felt the release of pressure from her chest as she smiled at the note.
He'd placed it on the coffee pot, where he knew she'd find it first thing in the morning.
He may not like her.
But he'd forgiven her.
XxXxXx
The three of them stared at the television in utter disbelief, their mouths hanging open, shock evident in their faces.
"I was hoping I'd be back in time to gage your reactions," and all three of them turned to stare at Haymitch.
"How in the world did you just pull that off?" Effie asked.
Haymitch shrugged. "I told Seneca to give Panem something to hope for."
He walked to the buffet and grabbed a bowl of soup as they all continued to stare at him. When he turned around he seemed surprised to still have their attention. "What?"
"But surely it won't really be allowed, Haymitch," said Portia.
"Of course not," Effie said before Haymitch could respond. "There can only be on Victor."
Haymitch shrugged again and made his way to the table to start eating. "I'm anxious to see how it'll play out."
Cinna, Portia, and Effie turned their attention back to the television and watched as Katniss called out Peeta's name.
For some unknown reason Katniss decided to wait another day to find the boy, so the next morning, bright and early, the four of them are back in the living room.
They're all sitting, Haymitch next to Effie, Cinna next to Portia, and Haymitch's hand is once again on Effie's knee to keep her from jerking her foot and up and down.
He's running his fingernails up and down her spine, and she can't for the life of her figure out why he did it, or how he knew to do it, but it's incredibly soothing and takes the edge off.
She yelps when Katniss and Peeta finally find each other and Haymitch finally stops touching her and stands.
"Peeta's near death," whispered Effie as Katniss started washing him and they were all able to get a good look at him. Effie looked at Haymitch as if this were all his fault.
Sighing he stood up, putting on his jacket. "Jesus, woman. I'll see what I can get them."
She followed him to the door, reaching out and straightening his bowtie before opening the door and allowing him to leave.
An hour after the kiss, a canister of soup arrives.
"Soup? Soup?" If Effie's voice got any higher bats would be able to hear it.
At that moment Haymitch had been walking in, but at her shouts he stopped dead in his tracks. She met his eye, scowling, and he slowly backs up and leaves again.
Effie can't stop her lips from splitting into a smile.
When Haymitch comes back his face his set. He holds up his hand and immediately goes to the bar and pours himself a large drink. He drank half its contents before finally turning to them.
"I damn near just had to sell my soul for what I just got them, so I don't want to hear nothin' but your praises, Trinket."
"What'd you do?" asked Portia.
"You'll see. What have I missed?"
"Not much… they just keep sharing a bunch of kisses," Effie said quietly.
"How well is she pulling it off?"
"I don't know if anyone cares. Everyone's probably transfixed on Peeta."
"He really loves her," said Cinna softly.
"And she is as oblivious as they come," Portia said sympathetically.
"That's truly sad. Peeta is quite the catch," sighed Effie.
"Katniss isn't oblivious," Haymitch said defensively. "It's just… they come from two different worlds. In 12 the Seam people and the Townies don't really mix. It's not that they don't want to. It's just… frowned upon." Effie glanced at Cinna, and he caught her eye. They were thinking the same thing: was Haymitch talking about them?
"I thought Katniss' parents—" started Cinna.
"Katniss' mother was disowned from the Town when she married a man from the Seam. It's not illegal technically, but they were shunned, on both sides." He paused and took another drink. "Katniss and I are a lot alike. We don't have a lot of time for bullshit fairytales, love, and happily ever after's. Not when you spend each day just trying to fucking survive. So give the girl some slack."
Haymitch threw back the rest of his drink and then left the living room.
XxXxXx
"You seemed awfully protective of our girl today," Effie said as Haymitch re-entered the Penthouse. They made their way to Haymitch's bedroom, Effie stopping at the door.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "I was annoyed and took out my frustrations on all of you. The girl is clueless as shit."
Effie laughed. "She cares for him, she just doesn't know it yet. And she damn sure doesn't know how to show it. With everything you said in your little speech I assume there's not much time to show affection on the Seam side of things."
"People marry out of necessity. You want love? You better be from the Town. That's just the way it is."
"That is stupid," Effie said.
He looked at her. "That's rude," he said, and she laughed again.
She blushed when she noticed him watching her.
"You need a haircut, Mr. Abernathy," said Effie to change the subject.
"And you need to dye that one gray hair I see poking out of your wig."
Effie gasped and ran to his mirror, then turned around scowling when she heard him laughing. "That was rude." She straightened her back. "I bid you goodnight."
"Goodnight, Effie."
It was the first time he'd ever said it.
XxXxXx
They slept in shifts to keep their sanity. Haymitch and Effie went to bed at the same time, and then Cinna and Portia would sleep.
Haymitch and Effie slept for a couple of hours, and then woke to relieve Cinna and Portia.
For major events, all four of them willed themselves to stay awake.
"How'd Peeta react to the sleep syrup?" asked Effie.
"Oh, he was royally pissed," Portia said.
"It was a good call, though, Effie," said Cinna with a smile.
"I merely suggested it. Haymitch executed it."
"You know Katniss, Haymitch. How much longer do you think we have before she goes to get the medicine?" asked Portia.
"There's no telling. Maybe another couple of hours. I don't know if she knows how far she is from the Cornucopia, so she'll want to leave well before sunrise. You guys should be fine. If not, we'll come get you."
They were fine, and the four of them watched in a tense silence as Katniss headed to the bag labeled 12.
"Holy shit," Haymitch said, his entire body tense, his eyes focused. "Holy fucking shit."
Effie grabbed his arm when the knife sliced Katniss' forehead, digging her nails into his flesh.
She doesn't realize she's doing it, and he doesn't even feel it.
"Oh my God," breathed Cinna, horror written on his face as they listened to Clove taunt Katniss.
And then—
Thresh, out of nowhere, interrogating Clove about Rue, and then killing her. He turned to Katniss, who quickly explained what happened and what she ultimately did for Rue.
He spared her life.
Effie's legs finally give out but Haymitch's arms, almost instinctively, wrap protectively around her waist, and he holds her up as if she weighs as much as a rag doll.
"My heart can't take this," whispered Effie.
"Either that or your feet got tired of your damned heels," Haymitch said, walking her over to the couch.
"Well they are new." She stuck out her foot, showing off a tiffany blue heel. "A gift from Cinna."
Haymitch rolled his eyes.
He then caught Cinna's eyes and jerked his head for the two of them to meet by the bar. They whispered together for a few moments about what Thresh sparing Katniss' life would do before going their separate ways.
As what was now custom, the four of them waited in silence for whatever was to come next.
